Fellow (Policy), Africa Soil Health Consortium CAB International

CABI BACKGROUND

CABI (www.cabi.org) is a not-for-profit development-led organization supported by a solid scientific research base and a world class publishing service. CABI’s mission is to improve people's lives worldwide by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment. CABI’s work increases food security and protects biodiversity.

Development projects and research

CABI’s staff research and find solutions to agricultural and environmental problems. CABI uses science, information and communication tools to help solve issues of global concern. CABI’s work is arranged around four core themes:

• Commodities – working to enable smallholder commodity farmers to compete in global markets. We diagnose and control plant pests and diseases, and help farmers get a better price for their crops. We work on crops such as coffee, cocoa, wheat, rice and cotton.
• Invasive species– helping to reduce the spread and impact of invasive weeds such as Japanese Knotweed, water hyacinth and insects such as coffee berry borer and cocoa pod borer. We also advise countries at a policy level about agriculture, trade and the environment.
• Knowledge for development– working with farmers, extension workers, researchers and governments to deliver agricultural knowledge and develop communication strategies and systems.
• Knowledge management - using information and communication technologies to provide farmers, researchers and policy makers with the information they need to make informed decisions and to lift people out of poverty.

Africa Soil Health Consortium

The African Soil Health Consortium (ASHC) is a 3.5 year project (2011-2014), funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The project’s purpose is to synthesize and disseminate up-to-date knowledge on integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) to drive increased productivity in smallholder farms in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The project acts as an interface between regional and international expertise in soil health and development activities that facilitate use of ISFM practices to improve production and incomes for smallholder farmers. The project works with on-going initiatives in the region that are introducing and implementing ISFM. Activities include designing information materials that are customised for the target audiences (men/women; young/old etc.) and dissemination methods that are in use. Materials targeting a range of different stakeholders including policy makers, researchers, extension workers, farmers, agrodealers, etc. are being produced.

CAB International (CABI) is managing the project through a Management Team (MT) comprised of Morris Akiri (Director CABI Africa), Dannie Romney (Project Executive), George Oduor (Project Manager) and a representative of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG). The team will be responsible for coordination of day-to-day activities of the ASHC project in consultation and engagement with stakeholders. The project will draw on expertise from the TAG.

The TAG is a pool of scientists who have played key roles in research and development in the area of ISFM in SSA as well as experts with skills in key areas such as knowledge management, policy processes, gender issues and development communication. The TAG provides strategic support and direction to the MT. It will provide technical oversight and backstopping to the project and contribute to stakeholder engagement and ensure that capturing of ISFM information is well organized. www.cabi.org/ashc

THE ROLE

Job title: Postdoc Fellow (Policy) – 26 months Fixed Term Appointment - with the possibility of further extensions

Salary range: Negotiable, but commensurate with skills, abilities and experience

Reporting to: Project Manager (ASHC)

Key peer group: ASHC Team, Researchers in partner organisations

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Purpose of the role

The Africa Soil Health Consortium (ASHC) aims to synthesize and disseminate up-to-date knowledge on integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) to drive increased productivity on smallholder farms in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). ASHC is offering an opportunity to a postdoc fellow to play a key role drawing together available information and data that constitute evidence that can inform policy making processes related to ISFM implementation including implications of strategies to increase availability and access to mineral fertilizer. The post-doc will be responsible for assessing on-going policy processes including developing an understanding of the current institutional environment and mapping relevant stakeholders. Needs assessments of different stakeholders will be undertaken and the post-doc will take the lead in producing high level policy papers in collaboration with other partners as well as translating the ISFM knowledge into materials relevant for policy makers and identifying communication approaches to deliver messages to target audiences. The post-doc will work closely with and complement work of policy groups of AGRA and other organizations.

Candidate profile

· Attention to detail - Able to demonstrate a high ability to analyse data and compile high quality policy briefs and papers.

· Agricultural economics knowledge - Is a holder of a PhD degree, with some knowledge of how economies of African countries run.

· Team player - Works effectively with a wide range of individuals at all levels - including researchers, marketers, donors, policy makers, NGOs and farmers.

· Self-starter - Works independently, while also being part of the team in Kenya. Will be working as part of the ASHC team mainly based in Kenya.

· Excellent communicator - Provides clear, concise written/verbal communication materials. Ability to translate scientific and socioeconomic information into clear, concise, accessible written English. Offers own views and opinions to enhance group discussion.

· Results driven - Sets challenging goals for themselves. Self-motivated. Looks to continuously improve ways of working. Well organised, but flexible to change. Able to prioritise activities, undertake multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

· Embraces change - Has a positive outlook on new developments. Seeks input from others to generate the best solution.

· IT literate - Good understanding of typical IT programmes. Has an understanding of data processing software, database management and information dissemination. Able to demonstrate some knowledge of data analysis and interpretation of computer software outputs.

Key Accountabilities

· Actively engage partners (e.g. projects, regional and international stakeholders [COMESA, AU, NEPAD etc.]) and source relevant data

· Collate, analyse and manage data from partners

· Assist in the preparation of ISFM core reference materials (Handbook, Pocket guides)

· Develop and publish high quality policy briefs and papers which aim to raise awareness and seek consensus on ISFM as an approach of improving soil fertility and livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

The subject of this proposal is the need to improve knowledge on ISFM at all levels of society in both public and private sectors from policy makers to university lecturers, extension workers, input suppliers and the farmers themselves in order for ISFM to contribute to improved livelihoods.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Knowledge & Skills	REQUIRED	DESIRABLE
	· Excellent attention to detail · Understanding of Agricultural economics · Excellent written and verbal communication skills · Excellent planning, organizational and time management skills · Ability to work on multiple tasks and to tight deadlines · Good understanding of typical IT programmes and information management · Understanding of data processing & management and information dissemination · Econometrics	· Knowledge of French or Portuguese
Education & Qualifications	REQUIRED	DESIRABLE
	· PhD in Agricultural economics or equivalent	·
Personality Characteristics	REQUIRED	DESIRABLE
	· Excellent written communication skills: able to translate scientific and socioeconomic information into clear, concise, accessible written English · Excellent verbal communicator: articulate, persuasive and confident · Ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders · Team player · Strong research and analytical skills · Creative and innovative · Results driven · Self-starter	·
Personality Characteristics	REQUIRED	DESIRABLE
	· Some experience of researching and writing	· Some experience of working in an office environment · Experience of using social media channels and content management systems · Experience of working with an international, science publishing or not-for profit organization

NOTE

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. It is expected that the post holder and ASHC will adopt a flexible attitude and accept that the duties may have to be varied according to circumstances, in particular changing corporate requirements and individual development needs.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

CABI is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation or marital status. No applicant will be disadvantaged by conditions which cannot be shown to be justified and selection will be based on merit.

By taking the CABI Equal Opportunities Survey you will be helping us to follow best practice recommendations that employers should monitor selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved. Please follow the link to take the survey.

(If the link does not work please cut and paste the following URL into your web browser http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CABI_Equal_Opportunities_Survey )

The information in the survey will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only, forming no part of the selection process. This information will be received separately from your application.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply please send a covering letter detailing how you meet the candidate profile and a full CV quoting Job Reference 03/2012 to finadmin@cabi.org

Please state where you saw this advertisement.

Please note closing date for receipt of applications is Close of Business 5 p.m. Friday, 13 April 2012